CLASS II. AV.ES: ORDER 1. RAPTORES. 
41 
This monarch of the mountain forests, over which he has reigned since the creation, is still 
found exercising his dominion in the ancient and remote woods of j^urope, Asia, and Amer- 
ica, but more particularly in the northern parts. ISTuttall thus describes it: "Near their rocky 
nests they are seen usually in pairs, at times majestically soaring to a vast height, and gazing 
on the sun, toward which they ascend until they disappear from view. From this sublime ele- 
vation they often select their devoted prey — sometimes a kid or a lamb from tlie sporting flock, 
or the timid rabbit or hare crouched in the furrow, or sheltered iu some bush. The largest birds 
are also frequently their victims, and in extreme want they Avill not refuse to join with the alarmed 
vulture in his cadaverous repast. After this gorging meal the eagle can, if necessary, fast for sev- 
eral days. The precarious nature of his subsistence, and the violence by which it is constantly 
obtained, seem to produce a moral effect on the disposition of this rapacious bird ; though in pairs, 
they are never seen associated with their young ; their offspring are driven forth to lead the 
same unsocial, wandering life as their imfeeling progenitors. This harsh and tyrannical disposi- 
tion is strongly displayed even when they lead a life of restraint and confinement. The weaker 
bird is never Avillingly suffered to eat a morsel, and though he may cower and quail under the 
blow with the most abject submission, the same savage deportment continues toward him as long 
as he exists. Those which I have seen in confinement frequently uttered hoarse and stridulous 
cries, sometimes almost barkings, accompanied by vaporous breathings, strongly expressive of their 
ardent, unconquerable, and savage appetites. Their fire-darting eyes, lowering brows, flat fore- 
heads, restless disposition, and terrific plaints, together with their powerful natural weapons, seem 
to assimilate them to the tiger rather than the timorous bird. Yet it would appear that they 
maybe rendered docile, as the Tartars, according to Marco Polo, in 1269, were said to tame 
this species to the chase of hares, foxes, wolves, antilopes,'and other kinds of large game, in which 
it displayed all the docility of the falcon. 
" The longevity of the eagle is as remarkable as its strength ; it is believed to subsist for a cen- 
tury, and is about three years in gaining its complete growth and fixed plumage. This bird was 
held in high estimation by the ancients on account of its extraordinary magnitude, courage, and 
sanguinary habits. The Romans chose it as an emblem for their imperial standard, and from its 
aspiring flight and majestic soaring it was fabled to hold communion Avith heaven, and to be the 
favorite messenger of Jove. The Tartars have a particular esteem for the feathers of the tail, 
with which they superstitiously think to plume invincible arrows. It is no less the venerated 
war-eagle of our northern and western aborigines, and the caudal feathers are extremely valued 
for talismanic head-dresses, and as sacred decorations for the pipe of peace." 
The Imperial Eagle, A. imperialis or A. keliaca or A. moffilniJc, was long confounded with 
the golden eagle ; it inhabits the mountain forests of Southern Europe and Northern Africa. The 
head, which has a light crest, is of a slaty-gray color ; the upper parts nearly black, the feathers 
terminating in lighter shades ; under surface, from the breast, white. 
Other species are Bonblli's Eagle, A.fasciaia, or A. BoneUii, inhabiting Southern Europe ; the 
Rough-footed Eagle, or Little Eagle, or Spotted Eagle, or Crying Eagle, A. ncevia^ or A. 
maculata^ found in the mountain forests of the north, east, and south of Europe, and uttering a 
continual plaintive cry, from which one of its popular names is derived ; the Booted Eagle, A. 
pennata^ the smallest of European Eagles, being only eighteen inches long, found in the south of 
Europe; Gifford's Eagle, A. armigera^ or A. helUcosa^ an African species, equal to the 
Golden Eagle in size; the Taw^ny Eagle, A. ncevioides, the Bold Eagle, A. audax, Rein- 
"Wardt's Eagle, A. Malayensis ; the Vulturine Eagle or Caffre Eagle, A. vuUurina, of the 
size of the largest eagles, and approaching the vultures in its form and habits. 
Genus HALIAETUS : Haliaetus ; this term, signifying Sea Eagle, includes several species 
called Fishing Eagles^ at the head of which may be placed the species most familiar in this 
country, the Bald Eagle, or AVhite-headed Eagle, H. leucocephalus. It is thirty-five to 
forty inches in length ; the head above and behind, with the neck, is sometimes white, whence, 
from its appearance, the term of laid is given to the species ; often, however, these parts are 
light brownish-fulvous, varying, however, in shade, in different specimens ; the tail pure white ; 
other parts rich purplish brown. The variations of its color, in different stages of growth, caused 
YOL. II— 6. 
